Union County Commission Chairman Stony Rushing dies following health issues

Stony Rushing answers a question during a debate among republican candidates for the 9th congressional district in Monroe, N.C., Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The primary election is Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Stony Rushing, a longtime Union County Commissioner and former Congressional candidate, died following health issues relating to a battle with leukemia. He was 51.

In a statement posted by Union County government officials, Rushing’s passing was announced on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the Union County Board of Commissioners and Chairman Stony D. Rushing’s family, we regretfully share that Chairman Rushing passed away this evening after a courageous battle with health issues over the past year. We were hopeful he would make a full recovery, so this certainly is a difficult time,” the statement said.

A Facebook group providing updates on Rushing’s condition posted that he was moved to palliative care in the days prior to his passing.

State Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union) said in a statement, “I join our Union County community in sending my deepest sympathies to the family of Union County Commissioner Chairman Stony Rushing. In recent years, Stony lead our community through many challenges that required difficult decisions. I have no doubt the importance of those decisions and the best for Union County’s future weighed heavily on him in recent months.”

In 2019, Rushing ran in the special election in the 9th Congressional District, finishing second behind U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop in the contest.

Rushing is survived by his wife, Anne-Marie, and two children.